Bydgoszcz, Poland, August 5, 2011 – Poland sealed an opening win in front of their home fans as they saw off Argentina in straight sets (25-20, 25-17, 25-22) in Bydgoszcz on Friday in the 2011 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix.Poland, who changed nine players from last year’s finals in Nigbo, China where they took sixth place, faced Argentina for the first time since 2002 when both teams met in Pila, Poland, playing friendly games.

2011 FIVB Volleyball World Grand
PrixAugust 5-28

Katarzyna Konieczna was the top scorer for the hosts with 15 points while Lucia Fresco scored nine for Argentina as they failed to see any of their players move into double figures.Poland opened the first set with an impressive spike from Katarzyna Konieczna, but after that Paula Nzetich and especially one of the tallest players on the court Lucia Fresco gave Argentina a four point advantage at the first TTO. Poland then changed their style of play as they began to serve aggressively, waiting for the opponent’s errors. Argentina coach Horacio Bastita tried to push his team with a double substitution but it wasn’t enough as Poland took the opening set.Second set began in a point by point fashion. Both teams couldn’t runaway until Poland took the lead 14-12 and increased it further. The Argentineans were unable to receive most of Polish serves and weren’t on time with their block as their opponents went 2-0 ahead.

Bastita changed his starting six in the third set as Aylin Pereyra and Camila Jersonsky appeared on the court. But Poland took the lead from the very beginning and secured it at the first TTO. Argentina setter Antonela Cuaratola served very smartly as visitors tied at 13-13 before going ahead at 20-18. But Poland finally won 25-22 to take their first victory in this year’s tournament.On Saturday Poland take on Dominican Republic while Argentina face Italy as the 2011 FIVB World Grand Prix continues.